Jack Kane Jr., Vince Mulligan and William “Billy” MacMillan were three of the members inducted into the UPEI Sports Hall of Fame during a legacy celebration and dinner at Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre on Saturday.
John “Jack” Hurry Kane was also inducted into the hall posthumously.
The dinner was originally supposed to be held Thursday evening but was postponed due to the weather.
The event honoured the school’s proud past while also looking towards a bright future of varsity athletics.
After receiving the honour, Kane said it was difficult to describe his experience at the school in a single sentence.
“Other than saying UPEI and Saint Dunstan’s was a great place to live,” said Kane. “We were lucky to be there at the time we were and to be able to play with some of the greatest players and meet the best people.”
All four of the players honoured were well-known in P.E.I.’s hockey circles.
A hot stove segment with master of ceremonies Bruce Rainnie saw the three swap stories about their university experiences, including when Kane coached the team to a Maritime championship and national silver medal in the 1964-65 season.
That year also saw Mulligan serve as team captain while MacMillan won the conference’s scoring crown and MVP award.
“It was a team that worked well together and, like Billy said, we had the backing of the students, the faculty and especially the priests,” said Mulligan, who himself later went on to coach the Panthers to three conference titles in the late 1980s.
All three inductees, as well the friends and family members who introduced them, spoke of how instrumental the university was in shaping their playing careers and future lives.
They also spoke fondly of the support received by classmates and faculty.
“You couldn’t have asked for better,” said Mulligan. “You really would have to go to Saint Dunstan’s to understand the atmosphere.”
MacMillan said the team’s members were very close and created memories that helped carry him through his entire career.
“We worked hard for one another and it made me very proud to feel this backing from Islanders,” said MacMillan, who went on to later compete in four World Hockey Championships, win a bronze medal at the 1968 Winter Olympics and sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs. “When I went away, I wanted to play extra hard for everyone here (on P.E.I.).”
Kane said the memories from playing on any team, especially a championship squad, last forever.
“You make a lot of memories and friends with all teams. Some of them don’t finish the job, but having said that, it doesn’t change the individual people who played with you,” said Kane. “They’re all champions.”
MacMillan left the many up-and-coming athletes in Saturday’s crowd with a piece of advice.
He said it’s important to be able to also enjoy the game while competing.
“Looking back, those are the best days of your life… until you retire,” he joked.
